Parkland Dedication Code Amendment

Randy Scott, Park Development CoordinatorCity of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Marilyn Lamensdorf, Principal PlannerCity of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Presented to Austin City Council

September 17, 2015

Council Actions to Date

August 14, 2014: Council directed the City Manager to conduct a comprehensive review and make recommendations for revisions to the existing Parkland Dedication OrdinanceNovember 19, 2014: Staff submitted Parkland Dedication Fee Methodology Report to Mayor and CouncilDecember 11, 2014: Council passed a resolution adopting the proposed fee methodology and initiated a parkland dedication code amendmentAugust 6, 2015: City Council set public hearing for September 17, 2015

What is Parkland Dedication

Parkland dedication is a local government requirement imposed on subdivision developers or builders, mandating that they dedicate land for a park and/or pay a fee to be used by the government entity to acquire and develop park facilities.

The philosophy is that new development generates a need for additional park amenities; the people responsible for creating that need should bare the cost of providing the new amenities.

Background

Austin’s fee ranks among the lowest in the country

Background

$650 per unit does not cover costs of

land and development

Background

Austin parkland acres are not keeping pace with city’s growth

Elected Officials can either:

Increase taxes to pay for new demand

Do nothing and lower Austin’s quality of life

Development pays for itself

Three Ways to Pay for Growth

Proposed Code Amendment

Land requirement = current level of service of 9.4 acres per 1,000 residents

Establishes a formula for a fee in-lieu of land Establishes a formula for a fee for parkland development Fee becomes part of the City’s Annual Fee Schedule Increases flexibility for meeting parkland dedication by

allowing a combination of land, fees and amenities on public and private lands

Stakeholder Input

Stakeholder roundtables and public meetings: October 24, 2014, at Zilker Botanical Gardens roundtable. November 10, 2014, Land and Facilities Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board.November 18, 2014, Parks and Recreation Board.December 5, 2014, at PARD Annex Building roundtable.January 21, 2015, RECA monthly membership meetingMay 27, 2015, Open Space Environmental and Sustainability Committee, OSESJune 23, 2015, Planning Commission public hearing August 28, 2015, at Zilker Botanical Gardens roundtable

Stakeholder Input

Participants Included : Real Estate Council of Austin;Greater Austin Builders Association;Downtown Austin Alliance;Austin Board of Realtors;Austin Neighborhood Council (ANC) Executive Board;Private Developers: DR Horton, Benchmark, PSW, Peloton Land, Newcastle Homes; Brookfield Residential;Engineers: Bury and Partners, Pape Dawson, Thrower Design; Austin Contractors and Engineers Association

Benefits

The Benefits of this code amendment include:

Sound defensible methodology

Meets Imagine Austin goals of increased recreation and open space

Existing level of parkland maintained as city grows

Existing level of park amenities maintained as city grows

More parks throughout the city

More flexibility in meeting the parkland dedication requirements

Specific language clarifying the parkland dedication code process

Formula Included in Ordinance

Fee included in the annual fee schedule

Parks that benefitted from PLD Funds

Tom Lasseter/ South Lamar Neighborhood Park

Armadillo Neighborhood Park

Copperfield Neighborhood Park

Next Steps

September 17, 2015: Council considers code amendment

October 1, 2015: Council adopts new Fee Schedule

October – December 2015: Educational campaign for internal and external stakeholders

January 1, 2016: New park fees go into effect ( grace period gives developers more time to incorporate new fees into project pro-formas)

Staff contact information:

Randy Scott, Park Development CoordinatorPhone: 512 974-9484 Email: randy.scott@austintexas.gov

Ricardo Soliz, Division ManagerPhone: 512 974-9452Email: ricardo.soliz@austintexas.gov

Marilyn Lamensdorf, Principal PlannerPhone: 512 974-9372Email: marilyn.lamensdorf@austintexas.gov

Discussion